January 16, 1934 ~ October 6, 2013
Thelma Pauline Johnson Nuse Struble left this world to be with her Lord in Heaven October 6, 2013. Born January 16, 1934 to Edwin Clarence and Edna Dorothy Lungren Johnson, Thelma was a long standing member of the Caldwell community. She attended grade school at District 99 and the Bellview School in the country and graduated from Caldwell High School with the class of 1951. She received her bacholors degree in teaching from Soutwestern College in Winfield, Kansas and taught school in Goddard, Kansas for 8 years. On December 28, 1958 she married Lavern Lee Nuse. In 1960 they bought a farm northwest of Caldwell from Thelma’s parents and started their family. Born to Thelma and Lavern were Dale, Derald and Danita. Thelma started teaching in the Caldwell public school system in 1970, and was an exemplary teacher and role model, touching the lives of many children until her retirement in 1996. Thelma conducted workshops and seminars in her field of special reading. She received her Masters Degree in special reading from Northwestern College in Alva, Oklahoma in 1974. She was a member of the International Reading Association, and was president, vice president and a coordinator at the State and district levels. Thelma was also a member of the Caldwell Teachers Association, the Kansas Education Association, and Kansas State Collegiate Association. Thelma was a member of the Corbin United Methodist Church and devoted her life to the Lord. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and served many years as president. Thelma was also very involved in the local Skylark 4-H club where she was a community leader and project leader for many years. Many young 4-H’ers learned to bake breads, cookies and pies and the kitchen stayed warm preparing for the fair each year. She also spent hours helping kids prepare speeches and demonstrations for 4-H days. She believed in helping kids and preparing them for the future. Thelma was an instrumental leader in starting the Caldwell Care Network and spent hours volunteering for this special service in Caldwell and volunteering at the Caldwell Hospital. Thelma was an inspiration to the whole community. She was a daughter, sister, wife , mother, teacher, author of recipes and community organizer. President Bush personally honored her in 1991 as one of the thousand lights in the United States of America and was a “Point of Light”. After Lavern’s death in 1981 Thelma remained on the farm until the March 13th tornado of 1990, when she moved to town to reside with her Mother. Thelma married Harold Eugene Struble August 11, 1991 and they made their home on south Osage in Caldwell for 22 years. Thelma is preceded in death by her first husband Lavern, parents, Edwin and Edna Johnson. Survivors are husband Gene Struble of Caldwell, son, Dale Nuse of Caldwell, granddaughter Makenzie Nuse of Wichita, Kansas, grandson Braeden Nuse of Kechi, Kansas, son, Derald Nuse and wife Connie, grandsons, Austin and Dalton, of Rose Hill, Kansas, daughter Danita, and husband Shane Williams of Dodge City, Kansas, brothers, Melvin Johnson of Caldwell, and Clifford Johnson and wife Marty of Katy, Texas.
Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the United Methodist Church, Corbin, Kansas.
Memorials may be given in memory of Thelma to the Corbin United Methodist Church or to the CHS Alumni Association Special Project.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
Debbie Esquibel
Family and Friends - 10/07/2013
Danita & Shane...I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I’m deeply shocked at the sudden death of your mother.
May God give her eternal rest and may her soul rest in peace. Please give my deepest sympathy to Gene and your brothers Dale, Derald & their famlies.
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Kevin and Ginger LeCounte
Family and Friends - 10/08/2013
Dale, Derald and Danita: We are saddened to hear of your mom's passing. We will remember her as such a nice woman and a no-nonsence teacher who loved kids and teaching.
May the Lord wrap his arms around you and comfort you during this time. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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Marlene Mansfield Flickinger
Family and Friends - 10/08/2013
To Thelma's family: Thelma was one of my roommates at Southwestern College during our Freshman year.-- many many years ago. I have become reacquainted with Thelma as we both served the United Methodist Women District office level.Thelma was a quiet person and you did not hear much from her, but she did all her work with children, church and community in an organized, wonderful way. My sympathy is extended to her family and also to her home church, the United Methodist Church at Corbin.
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Nels David (Dave) Johnson, Wichita, Ks...cousin...
Family and Friends - 10/08/2013
Sorry for your loss, We had GREAT family get-togethers, the Edwin, Elmer, & Russell Johnson family in Caldwell, & Wichita,Ks..Going down to Caldwell for Fall Parades & Fair...and Holidays...God Bless the Family......Dave & Family
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Colleen Youree Balaban
Family and Friends - 10/12/2013
I am so sorry for your loss. I have many happy memories growing up with Thelma in the Corbin Methodist Church. I know you must be so proud of the life she lived and the many, many people she helped along the way.
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